It’s not a lot different from that, Joe explained, only this time, don’t break the connection. Reach out to me and hold that thread of thought open between us. Then, when you look again, I’ll be able to see what you’re seeing.

Does this work with anyone? Honey asked.

Sure. So long as you can find a mind to connect to. Why do you ask?

It would be a great way to communicate more clearly with the rest of my pack.

Joe grinned. Not to mention keeping rambunctious puppies in line. That, too.

Joe got serious then. Show me what you’re seeing.

His instructions had seemed so simple, and they proved to be just that when she put them into practice. She reached out to him with a thought and held the connection. But as soon as his mind caught hold of her thought and began to follow it back into her own mind, she shied away.

Shivering, she broke contact.

I’m sorry, Joe said. I grabbed on too hard.

No, it’s me, she told him. I wasn’t expecting it to feel so . . . intimate.

You don’t need to worry. I won’t actually have access to your thoughts and memories.

She nodded. I understand.

What she couldn’t explain was how it was hard for her to open up to anyone, even someone she trusted as much as she did Joe. Companionship, helping each other as they had and what she was doing now, searching for his friend . . . that was one thing. But this . . . this felt too much like baring her very soul, and she wasn’t sure he’d like what he saw if he got a glimpse of it. She wasn’t nearly as brave as the face she put on to show the world, and lying deep inside her, as deep as Jilly’s hidden world must lie in her, was a raw red place of anger and hate that she could only keep in check, not erase.

Who could like her once they’d caught a glimpse of that? Whenever she touched it, she didn’t even like herself.

All this does is let me ride your senses to see what you’re seeing, Joe added.

I believe you. I just didn’t expect it to feel the way it did.

We don’t have to do this.

Yes, we do, she told him. If we’re going to help your friend.

I just don’t want to put you in a position where—

I’m fine. I know what to expect now.